Methods of using shopping cart

ABSTRACT

A child seat includes a base and a seatback movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which the seatback preferably is flush with a top of the base, and an extended position, in which a sitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatback serves to support a child&#39;s back. The seatback of the child seat preferably includes a seat belt for restraint of a child when seated in the sitting area. A shopping cart includes the child seat. The seatback includes a gate movable between a retracted position, in which the gate preferably is flush with the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends in a generally upright manner and partially blocks leg openings of the basket to keep items from falling there through when the seatback is in the retracted position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority back to U.S. provisional patentapplication 62/792,328, filed Jan. 14, 2019, which provisional patentapplication is incorporated by reference herein. The disclosure of the'328 application is set forth in the appendix attached hereto, whichalso is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

Any new and original work of authorship in this document is subject tocopyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States andother countries. Reproduction by anyone of this document as it appearsin official governmental records is permitted, but otherwise all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to shopping carts and, inparticular, shopping carts having child seats. Shopping carts are knowneach of which is designed to accommodate one or more children to beseated and pushed around therein. For example, U.S. Design Pat. Nos.D749,286; D786,524; D790,146; D790,147; D800,408; D802,867; D802,868;D802,869; and D802,879 each discloses a shopping cart. Additionally,U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,598,097 and 9,944,304 each discloses a shopping cartthat is capable of seating an infant and a toddler for pushing around inthe shopping cart. Each of these design and utility patents isincorporated herein by reference.

While suitable for their intended purposes, such shopping carts arebelieved to be subject to improvement. It is believed that a cart inaccordance with at least one or more of the aspects and features of thepresent invention represents such an improvement. Specifically, apreferred shopping cart of the invention is believed to provide for,inter alia, the safe and comfortable restraint of a sitting child aswell as better utilization of the cart space for carrying items when notsitting a child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of shopping and shopping carts, the present invention is notlimited to use only in shopping and shopping carts, as will becomeapparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions ofaspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, in an aspect of the invention, a child seat for use in acart comprises a base and a seatback connected to the base and movablerelative thereto between a retracted position, in which the seatback isreceived within the base, and an extended position, in which a sittingarea of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatbackserves to support a back of a child when sitting in the sitting area.

In a feature, the seatback is flush with a top of the base when in theretracted position.

In a feature, the seatback rotates between the retracted position andthe extended position.

In a feature, the base defines the sitting area.

In a feature, the seatback is received within the sitting area andcovers a floor of the sitting area when in the retracted position.

In a feature, the seatback comprises a gate connected to the seatbackand movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which thegate is received within the seatback and is flush with a surface of theseatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends in agenerally upright manner from the surface of the seatback

In a feature, the gate is flush with the seatback when the gate is inthe retracted position.

In a feature, the gate is flush with a surface of the seatback when thegate is in the retracted position, the surface of the seatback withwhich the gate is flush being an outwardly facing surface of theseatback when the seatback is in the retracted position.

In a feature, the gate rotates between the retracted position and theextended position, the gate being received within a recessed areadefined by the seatback when the gate is in the retracted position.

In a feature, the seatback rotates about a first axis in moving betweenthe retracted position of the seatback and the extended position of theseatback.

In a feature, the gate rotates about a second axis in moving between theretracted position of the gate and the extended position of the gate.

In a feature, the first axis and the second axis are parallel and arelocated on opposite widthwise sides of the seatback.

In a feature, the seatback and the gate rotate in opposite rotationaldirections when moving from their respective retracted positions totheir respective extended positions.

The seatback preferably comprises a seatbelt for restraint of a childwhen seated in the sitting area. In particular, the seatback preferablycomprises a recess within which a seatbelt module is received, theseatbelt module comprising the seatbelt for restraint of a child whenseated in the sitting area, and the recess is located in a surface ofthe seatback that faces the sitting area when the seatback is in theretracted position.

The seatbelt module preferably is flush with the seatback when receivedwithin the recess.

Another aspect of the invention includes a cart comprising a child seatdisclosed herein, and the cart preferably is a shopping cart.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of using a cart disclosedherein comprises, when using the cart to seat a child, moving the gateto its retracted position, moving the seatback to its extended position,siting a child in the sitting area such that legs of the child extendthrough leg openings in the cart and a back of the child rests againstthe seatback in its extended position, and restraining the child withthe seatbelt; and when using the cart to contain items and not seat achild, moving the seatback to its retracted position and moving the gateto its extended position to inhibit items contained in the cart fromfalling through the leg openings in the cart.

In another aspect, and as will be appreciated from the detaileddescription set forth below, a preferred cart is similar to the carts ofthe incorporated design and utility patents and includes a chassis;wheels attached to the chassis; an upper basket attached to the chassisand defining an upper cargo area for receiving articles for transport onthe cart; and, a lower basket attached to the chassis and defining alower cargo area for receiving articles for transport on the cart.

Unlike the carts of the incorporated design and utility patents, and inaccordance with this aspect, the upper basket comprises a child seatand, preferably, the bottom of the upper basket defines a recess oropening within which the child seat is received. In this respect, thechild seat preferably includes a base with one or more peripheral rimsthat overlap edges of the bottom of the upper basket for insertion andretention of the child seat within the recess or opening.

The child seat further preferably comprises a seatback that istransitionable from a retracted or closed position to an extended orupright position. Moreover, the top of the child seat preferably isgenerally flush with the bottom of the upper basket when the seatback isin the retracted or closed position. This enables increased utilizationof the upper basket for holding items when a child is not seated in thecart.

Preferably, the seatback comprises a gate that is transitionable from aretracted or closed position to an extended or upright position and thatis moved to the extended or open position in order to keep items placedin the upper basket from falling through leg openings in the rear wallof the upper basket when the seatback is in the retracted or closedposition for maximum utilization of the upper basket for holding items.

In a feature of this aspect, the child seat is located over andsupported by a widthwise support member of the chassis. In someembodiments, such widthwise support member is the only part of thechassis that extends the width of the cart underneath and in engagementwith the upper basket and that is directly connected to and directlysupports the upper basket in its cantilevered position over the lowerbasket.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises a shopping cart.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart is made from one or more plastics.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart is made from one or more wires,rods, and tubes.

In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises awire basket.

In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises awire grid defining a bottom of the basket. The wire grid may be madefrom a plastic or metal material, and preferably, the metal material hasa coated, painted, or molded outer layer.

In a feature of this aspect, both baskets each comprises a wire griddefining a bottom of the basket.

In a feature of this aspect, the upper basket is cantilevered over thelower basket.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart further comprises a rack locatedunder the lower basket. The rack preferably comprises a wire frameworkthat is bounded at the front and sides by the chassis, including aportion of the chassis that defines a U-shaped bottom bumper of the cartthat extends around the front and part of the sides of the bottom of thecart. In an additional related feature, the lower basket is cantileveredover the rack, and the chassis comprises a widthwise support member onwhich the lower basket is supported in its cantilevered position overthe rack. In some embodiments, such widthwise support member is the onlypart of the chassis that extends the width of the cart underneath and inengagement with the lower basket and that is directly connected to anddirectly supports the lower basket in its cantilevered position over therack.

In a feature of this aspect, the wheels include a pair of front wheelsand a pair of back wheels. In an additional related feature, each wheelof the two pair of wheels swivel 360 degrees. In an alternativeadditional related feature, each of the pair of front wheels swivel 360degrees, and neither of the pair of back wheels swivels.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart is designed and configured to nestwith other like carts. In an additional related feature, the nesting isaccomplished by pushing the front of a first one of the carts into therear of a second one of the carts such that the upper basket of thefirst cart is received within the upper basket of the second cart, andthe lower basket of the first cart is received within the lower basketof the second cart. When nesting, a rear wall of the upper basket of thesecond cart preferably rotates upwardly in response to the front of theupper basket of the first cart being pushed there against, and a rearwall of the lower basket of the second cart preferably collapses byrotating downwardly in response to the front of the lower basket of thefirst cart being pushed there against.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises one or more cup holders.In an additional related feature, a cup holder is attached to thechassis of the cart at a forward inside corner of the upper basket ofthe cart.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises one or more mobile phoneholders. In an additional related feature, a mobile phone holder isattached to the chassis of the cart at a forward inside corner of theupper basket of the cart.

In a feature of this aspect, the cart includes no widthwise push bar ina rear of the cart for pushing of the cart by a person such that accessis unobstructed to the upper basket and to the lower basket from therear of the cart by a person.

In a feature of this aspect, the chassis comprises elongate membersconnected together, such as, for example, by welding or by beingintegrally connected through molding or other formation technique. Theelongate members may comprise, for example, tubes having oval,rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal cross-sectional profiles, aswell as combinations thereof. Still yet, in some embodiments the chassisconsists of such elongate members connected together. The elongatemembers further may be bent.

In another aspect of the invention, and as will be appreciated from thedetailed description set forth below, a preferred cart is similar to thecarts of the incorporated design and utility patents and includes achassis; wheels attached to the chassis; an upper basket attached to thechassis and defining an upper cargo area for receiving articles fortransport on the cart; and, a lower basket attached to the chassis anddefining a lower cargo area for receiving articles for transport on thecart.

Unlike the carts of the incorporated design and utility patents, and inaccordance with this aspect, the chassis defines on each of the oppositelateral sides of the cart a pair of vertically spaced members that eachsurrounds and defines—by bounding—an interior area that is open. Atleast the upper member of each pair of vertically spaced members servesas a handle for pushing of the cart. Each member of each pair ofvertically shaped members comprise an elongate member shaped in an ovalor other bounded geometric shape and having a sufficient widthwisedimension for gripping by a hand for use as a handle bar in maneuveringthe cart. The interior opening area can be used for promotional space.Each pair of vertically spaced members on each side of the cart arereferred to herein as “handles”, although it may be that, as a practicalmatter, only the upper members of these vertically spaced pairs are usedas handles by a person for pushing the cart when shopping.

Each upper handle on each side of the cart is directly connected to andextends from a top of the upper basket downwardly to beyond a bottom ofthe floor of the upper basket and to at least an elevation of awidthwise member that extends the width of the upper basket. Indeed,this widthwise member preferably is connected to and extends betweenrespective lower portions of the upper handles. Additionally, each upperhandle preferably does not extend to an elevation of the lower basketand, in fact, stops short of any portion of the lower basket such that arespective spacing is defined between each upper handle and the lowerbasket. Similarly, each lower handle on each side of the cart isdirectly connected to and extends from the bottom of the chassis (e.g.,from adjacent the rack) upwardly to an intermediate elevation of thelower basket and stops short of extending to and being connected to atop of the lower basket, such that a respective spacing is definedbetween the top of the lower basket and the uppermost part of the lowerhandle.

In a feature, one or more elongate members of the chassis on each sideof the cart extend between and connect the handles. In some embodimentsincluding such features, the handles and an elongate member connectingthe handles on a lateral side of the cart define the shape of armlessspectacles. In some embodiments including such features, such elongatemember is curved and in the shape of an arc in extending between thehandles, with such elongate member extending beyond the rear of theupper basket and the rear of the lower basket so as to define therearmost part of the cart. Furthermore, in some embodiments includingsuch features, the handles on each side are vertically located over awheel of the cart.

In a feature of this aspect, the rear area of the upper basketpreferably comprises a seat for a child and, preferably, an infant.

In a feature of this aspect, the lower basket defines a seat at a reararea thereof for a toddler. In an additional related feature, a rearwall of the lower basket moves away so that the rear area including aresulting rear edge of the lower basket is used as a ledge for sittingof the toddler. Additionally, the rear of the upper basket ishorizontally offset toward the front of the cart relative to the rear ofthe lower basket so as to provide clearance by which a toddler sits upwhen seated on the rear ledge of the lower basket.

In another aspect, a shopping cart comprises a child seat that comprisesa seatback that is movable between an extended position and a retractedposition, wherein the child seat is located in a floor of the upperbasket. Preferably a seatback of the child seat is transitionable to aretracted position such that the top of the child seat is flush with thefloor of the upper basket when the child seat is not used with a child.

In a feature of this aspect, the shopping cart is nestable with anothersimilar shopping cart, and the nesting can be performed whether thechild seat of each cart is in the extended position or the retractedposition.

In another aspect, a shopping cart comprises a basket and a child seatlocated in a floor of the basket.

In a feature, the child seat comprises a seatback that is movablebetween an extended position for use with a child and a retractedposition in which a top of the child seat is flush with the floor of theupper basket when the child seat is not used with a child. In a relatedfeature, the shopping cart is nestable with another similar shoppingcart, and wherein the nesting can be performed whether the child seat ofeach cart is in the extended position of the retracted position.

In a feature, the child seat comprises a gate that is movable between anextended position and a retracted position.

In a feature, the child seat comprises a seatback that is movablebetween an extended position for use with a child and a retractedposition in which a top of the child seat is flush with the floor of theupper basket when the child seat is not used with a child, and the childseat comprises a gate that is movable between an extended position and aretracted position. Preferably, a top of the child seat is generallyflush with a bottom of the floor of the basket when the seatback and thegate are in their retracted positions.

In a feature, the child seat comprises a housing configured forinsertion within a recess or opening in a rear area of the basket of thecart and, when so received in the recess or opening, a top of the childseat is generally flush with a bottom of the floor of the basket.

In another aspect, a child seat for use in a cart comprises a base and aseatback connected to the base and movable relative thereto between aretracted position, in which the seatback is flush with a top of thebase, and an extended position, in which a sitting area of the childseat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatback serves to supporta back of a child when sitting in the sitting area.

In a feature, the seatback comprises a gate connected to the seatbackand movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which thegate is flush with a surface of the seatback, and an extended position,in which the gate extends in a generally upright manner from a surfaceof the seatback.

Yet another aspect comprises making a cart in accordance with one ormore of the foregoing aspects and features; and another aspect comprisesusing a cart in accordance with one or more of the foregoing aspects andfeatures.

Yet another aspect comprises a child seat as disclosed above; anotheraspect comprise making such a child seat; and another aspect comprisesusing such a child seat in conjunction with a cart.

Additional aspects and features are disclosed in the appendix attachedhereto and incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various logical combinations and subcombinations of suchaspects and features. Thus, for example, claims in this or a divisionalor continuing patent application or applications may be separatelydirected to any aspect, feature, or embodiment disclosed herein, orcombination thereof, without requiring any other aspect, feature, orembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereinthe same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a left, front perspective view of a prototype of a preferredshopping cart that embodies one or more aspects and features of theinvention, wherein a child seat of the shopping cart is in a retractedposition, and wherein a gate of the child seat is in a retractedposition.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of part of the shopping cart of FIG. 1, wherein a seatback of the child seat is in the retracted position, andwherein the gate of the seatback is in the retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the shopping cart of FIG. 1 ,wherein the seatback is in the retracted position, and wherein the gateis in the retracted position.

FIG. 4 is another rear elevational view of the shopping cart of FIG. 1 ,wherein the seatback is in an extended position.

FIG. 5 is a left, rear perspective view of part of the shopping cart asseen in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is a right, front perspective view of a top part of a preferredshopping cart that embodies one or more aspects and features of theinvention, wherein a seatback of the child seat of the shopping cart isin a retracted position, and wherein a gate of the seatback is in aretracted position.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the top part of the shopping cartof FIG. 6 , wherein the seatback of the child seat is in the retractedposition, and wherein the gate of the seatback is in the retractedposition.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of part of the shopping cart of FIG. 6, wherein the seatback of the child seat is in the retracted positionand the gate of the seatback is in the retracted position.

FIG. 9 is the perspective view of part of the shopping cart seen in FIG.8 , but wherein the seatback of the child seat is in the retractedposition and the gate of the seatback is in an extended position.

FIG. 10 is a left, front perspective view of the top part of theshopping cart of FIG. 6 , wherein the seatback of the child seat is inthe retracted position, and wherein the gate of the seatback is in theretracted position.

FIG. 11 is the elevational rear view of the top part of the shoppingcart as seen in FIG. 7 , but wherein the seatback of the child seat isin the extended position.

FIG. 12 is a left, rear perspective view of the top part of the shoppingcart of FIG. 6 , wherein the seatback of the child seat is in theextended position.

FIG. 13 is a left, elevational view of a side of the top part of theshopping cart of FIG. 6 , wherein the seatback of the child seat is inthe extended position, and wherein the gate is in the retractedposition.

FIG. 14 is a left, rear perspective view of the child seat of theshopping cart of FIGS. 6-13 , wherein the seatback of the child seat isin the retracted position, and wherein the gate of the seatback is in anextended position.

FIG. 15 is the perspective view of the child seat of FIG. 14 , whereinthe seatback of the child seat is in the extended position.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the seatback and gate of the childseat of FIG. 15 taken along the line 16-16, wherein the seatback is inthe extended position and the gate is in the retracted position.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a conventional seatbelt module.

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of a conventional seatbelt module.

FIG. 19 is a left, side perspective view of the nesting together of twoshopping carts each like the shopping cart of FIGS. 6-13 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that theinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Otherembodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposesin providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention.Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one ora plurality of the aspects of the invention disclosed herein; only oneor a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof.As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosed herein and fallwithin the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail inrelation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is mademerely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure ofthe invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodimentsis not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patentprotection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing herefrom, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalentsthereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection affordedthe invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation foundherein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patentprotection afforded the invention be defined by the issued claim(s)rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to theUnited States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C.112(f) unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actuallyused in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision isintended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claimelement.

With regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step,such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step tobe performed at least once but not necessarily every time duringperformance of the claimed method.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “comprising”is open-ended insofar as that which follows such term is not exclusive.Additionally, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one” butdoes not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictatesotherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” is thesame as “a picnic basket comprising an apple” and “a picnic basketincluding an apple”, each of which identically describes “a picnicbasket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket havingapples”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other itemsbeside an apple. In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having asingle apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple”; thepicnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside anapple. In contrast, “a picnic basket consisting of an apple” has only asingle item contained therein, i.e., one apple; the picnic basketcontains no other item.

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other itemsbeside cheese and crackers.

When used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of theitems of the list”. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheeseand crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein thepicnic basket further has crackers”, as well as describes “a picnicbasket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese”;the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items besidecheese and crackers.

The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of items joined by “and”denotes an item of the list but does not require every item of the list.Thus, “at least one of an apple and an orange” encompasses the followingmutually exclusive scenarios: there is an apple but no orange; there isan orange but no apple; and there is both an apple and an orange. Inthese scenarios if there is an apple, there may be more than one apple,and if there is an orange, there may be more than one orange. Moreover,the phrase “one or more” followed by a list of items joined by “and” isthe equivalent of “at least one” followed by the list of items joined by“and”.

“Seatbelt” as used herein is intended to be interchangeable with “seatbelt”, “safety belt” and “restraint belt”, which also may be used hereinor in the incorporated disclosures of the patents. Similarly, “seatback”is intended to be interchangeable with “seat back”.

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of theinvention are next described. The following description of one or morepreferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that one or more preferred carts issimilar to the carts of the incorporated design and utility patents. Assuch, reference is made to such incorporated material to the extent thatpreferred carts of the present invention have the same or commonstructure, design, aspects, or features of the carts of the incorporateddesign and utility patents, and primary differences thereover are thefocus of the detailed description explicitly set forth herein, asfollows.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-5 , a prototype of a currently preferred shoppingcart 100 that embodies one or more aspects and features of the inventionis seen. This prototype represents not only the proof-of-concept butalso the actual reduction to practice of many of the aspects andfeatures of the present invention.

In particular, FIG. 1 is a left, front perspective view of the shoppingcart 100; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of part of the shopping cart100; FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the shopping cart 100; FIG. 4is another rear elevational view of the shopping cart 100; and, FIG. 5is a left, rear perspective view of part of the shopping cart 100 as itis seen in FIG. 4 .

The shopping cart 100 has a child seat 101 in accordance with one ormore aspects and features of the invention. The child seat 101 comprisesa base 103, a seatback 105, and a gate 107. The seatback 105 rotatesaround an axis 104 of a hinge 106 (seen partially in FIG. 2 ) relativeto the base 103 between a retracted position and an extended position.Similarly, the gate 107 rotates around another axis 108 of a hingerelative to the base 103 between a retracted position and an extendedposition. In each of FIGS. 1-3 , the seatback 105 of the child seat 101is seen in the retracted position, and the gate 103 is seen in theretracted position. In contrast, FIG. 4 shows the seatback 105 in theextended position (with the gate 103 in the retracted position; notshown).

The base 103 includes flanged sides or rims 111,113,115. The bottom ofthe upper basket further defines an opening within which the child seat101 is received, with rims 111,113,115 overlapping edges of the openingfor retention of the child seat 101 within the opening.

Additionally, the child seat 101 preferably is located adjacent andsupported by the widthwise elongate member that extends the width of theupper basket between upper handles 117,119 and that supports the upperbasket.

When the seatback 105 and the gate 107 both are in their respectiveretracted position, the top of the child seat 101 is generally flushwith a bottom of the upper basket. This is perhaps best seen in the rearelevational view of FIG. 3 .

It is believed that folding flush the retracted seatback when not in useenables greater utilization of available space in the upper cart.Additionally, the surface of the seatback against which a child rests,when retracted, preferably covers the sitting surface of the child,thereby preventing germs and bacteria that may be transferred from thechild to one of these surfaces of the sitting area (including that ofthe seatback and of the sitting area) from contaminating food that maybe placed within the upper basket of the shopping cart when the childseat is not being used by a child.

In at least some preferred embodiments, the outer surface of theseatback 105 includes an anti-slip coating—or otherwise comprises ananti-slip surface—such that a mobile phone, grocery list, or other itemplaced thereon when the seatback 105 is in the retracted position iskept from sliding around during pushing of the cart 100.

When the seatback 105 is in the extended position, the seatback 105preferably abuts wall 127, which acts as a stop to further rotating ofthe seatback 105 away from its retracted position. The wall 127 providessupport to the seatback 105 when a child is seated and leans backagainst the seatback 105.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the seatback 105 is seen in its extendedposition. It also is seen that the child seat 101 further comprises aseatbelt module 109. When the seatback 105 is in its extended position,the seatbelt module 109 is exposed for use in restraining a child.Furthermore, when properly seated and restrained, the legs of the childpreferably extend through the leg openings 121,123 (perhaps are bestseen in FIG. 2 ). The leg openings 121,123 are defined in a rear wall125 of the upper basket.

The seatbelt module 109 that is revealed in FIGS. 4 and 5 is receivedwithin a recess defined in the seatback 105. The seatbelt module 109 maybe similar to one or more restraint belt assemblies for childrendisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,780,240, the disclosure of which pertainingto restraint belt assemblies for children being hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Another exemplary type of seatbelt module suitable for use is sold byPOS-Technology Inc. of St. Charles, IL (a perspective view of such aseatbelt module 402 is seen in FIG. 17 of the drawings as well as inFIG. 17 of the appendix); and another exemplary type of seatbelt modulesuitable for use is sold by Bemis Manufacturing Company of SheboyganFalls, Wisconsin (a perspective view of such a seatbelt module 404 isseen in FIG. 18 of the drawings as well as in FIG. 18 of the appendix).Of course, modification of each of these would be necessary for receiptwithin the recess of the seatback 105 such that the seatback 105 isflush when in the retracted position. Such modification of each of theseconventional seatbelt modules 402,404 as necessary to accomplish this isbelieved to be within the skill of the Ordinary Artisan.

Returning to FIG. 2 , it should be noted that the shopping cart 100includes a holder 131 for a mobile phone, seen in the front left cornerof the upper basket, and a “cup” holder 133 for a beverage container,seen in the front right corner of the upper basket.

FIG. 6 is a right, front perspective view of a top part of a preferredshopping cart 200 that embodies one or more aspects and features of theinvention, wherein a seatback 205 of a child seat 201 of the shoppingcart 200 is seen in a retracted position, and wherein a gate 207 of theseatback 205 is seen in a retracted position. FIG. 7 —which is a rearelevational view—and FIG. 8 —which is a top perspective view—also showthe top part of the shopping cart 200, wherein the seatback 205 of thechild seat 201 is in the retracted position and the gate 207 of theseatback 205 is in the retracted position. For contrast, FIG. 9 is thesame perspective view of that of FIG. 8 but shows the gate 207 of theseatback 205 in an extended position, in which position the gate 207partially blocks the leg openings 221,223 in the rear wall of the upperbasket and serves to keep items placed in the upper basket from fallingthrough these openings when the child seat 201 is not used for a child.FIG. 9 also shows a recess 228 in which the gate 207 is received when inthe retracted position. The gate 207 when in the retracted positionpreferably is flush with the surface of the seatback 205 in whichsurface the recess 228 is defined. It is believed that folding flush theseatback 205 when not in use enables greater utilization of availablespace in the upper cart.

FIGS. 10-13 each shows the child seat 201 when the seatback 205 is in anextended position with the gate 207 in the retracted position.Specifically, FIG. 10 is a left, front perspective view of the top partof the shopping cart 200; FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the toppart of the shopping cart 200; FIG. 12 is a left, rear perspective viewof the top part of the shopping cart 200; and, FIG. 13 is a left,elevational view of a side of the top part of the shopping cart 200. Asseen in at least one of these figures, stops 224,226 extending inwardlyfrom the side walls of the upper basket abut and support the seatback205 when the seatback 205 is in the extended position. The stops 224,226preferably are formed from the wire segments that form the upper basket,and each may be in the form of a protruding loop, as seen, for example,in FIG. 10 . The axis 204 about which the seatback 205 rotates is seenin the cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 , as is the axis 208 about whichthe gate 207 rotates. Additionally, it will be appreciated that aseatbelt module is omitted from FIGS. 10-13 for clarity, but in use theseatbelt module is indeed present and received within the recess 222 ofthe seatback 205 of the child seat 201.

With particular focus on the child seat 201, FIG. 14 is a left, rearperspective view of the child seat 201 when the seatback 205 is in theretracted position and the gate 207 in the extended position; FIG. 15 isthe perspective view of the child seat 201 of FIG. 14 , but wherein theseatback 205 is in the extended position (with the gate in the retractedposition; not shown in FIG. 14 ); and, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional viewof the seatback 205 that includes the gate 207, which view is takenalong the line 16-16 of FIG. 15 , wherein the seatback 205 is in theextended position and the gate 207 is in the retracted position.

FIG. 19 is a left, side perspective view of the nesting together of twoshopping carts 301,303, each of which is like the shopping cart 200 ofFIGS. 6-13 . Preferably, these shopping carts 301,303 are able to nesteven when the seatback of cart 303 is in the extended position.Furthermore, the configuration and dimensions of the dual-basket designsallows for the same nesting distance whether the seatback of the childseat is extended or retracted. In other words, the seatback 105 does nothave to be folded, collapsed, or retracted in order to allow the cartsto nest; the carts are nestable even when the seatback 105 is in theextended position for use by a child.

Specifically, when nesting the upper basket of the receiving cart 303receives a front portion of the upper basket of the inserted cart 301,with the rear wall of the upper basket of the receiving cart swinginginwardly and upwardly to receive the front portion of the upper basketof the inserted cart 301. Additionally, the lower basket of thereceiving cart 303 receives a front portion of the lower basket of theinserted cart 301, with the rear wall of the lower basket of thereceiving cart rotating toward the floor of the lower basket forreceiving the front portion of the lower basket of the inserted cart301.

It is believed that use of shopping carts in accordance with one or moreaspects and features of the present invention result in a child beingheld in a more upright and natural sitting position compared to at leastsome existing carts. Furthermore, it is believed that it is moredifficult for a child to crawl out of the child seat of shopping cartsin accordance with one or more aspects and features of the presentinvention, and that such shopping carts are more comfortable for a childto sit in when compared to at least some existing carts.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention has broadutility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the presentinvention other than those specifically described herein, as well asmany variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will beapparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and theforegoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance orscope of the present invention.

Thus, for example, while a preferred cart in accordance with one or moreaspects and features of the invention may comprise a lower basket, acart in accordance with one or more aspects and features of theinvention need not necessarily have a lower basket.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

1-82. (canceled)
 83. A method of using a shopping cart that comprises abase and a seatback connected to the base and movable relative to thebase between a retracted position, in which a sitting area of the childseat is covered by the seatback, and an extended position, in which thesitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which theseatback serves to support a back of a child when sitting in the sittingarea, wherein the seatback comprises a recess located in a surface ofthe seatback that faces the sitting area when the seatback is in theretracted position, within which recess a seatbelt module is received,the seatbelt module comprising a seatbelt for restraint of a child whenseated in the sitting area, and wherein the seat further comprises agate connected to the seatback and movable relative to the seatbackbetween a retracted position, in which the gate is flush with a surfaceof the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends ina generally upright manner from the surface of the seatback, the methodcomprising, when using the cart to seat a child, moving the gate to itsretracted position, moving the seatback to its extended position,placing a child in the sitting area such that legs of the child extendthrough leg openings in the cart and a back of the child rests againstthe seatback in its extended position, and restraining the child withthe seatbelt.
 84. The method of claim 83, wherein the seatback is flushwith a top of the base when in the retracted position.
 85. The method ofclaim 83, wherein the seatback rotates between the retracted positionand the extended position.
 86. The method of claim 83, wherein the basedefines the sitting area, and wherein the seatback is received withinthe sitting area and covers a floor of the sitting area when in theretracted position.
 87. The method of claim 83, wherein the gate isreceived within the seatback when in the retracted position.
 88. Themethod of claim 83, wherein the surface of the seatback with which thegate is flush when the gate is in the retracted position is an outwardlyfacing surface of the seatback when the seatback is in the retractedposition.
 89. The method of claim 83, wherein the gate rotates betweenthe retracted position and the extended position, the gate beingreceived within a recessed area defined by the seatback when the gate isin the retracted position.
 90. The method of claim 83, wherein theseatback rotates about a first axis in moving between the retractedposition of the seatback and the extended position of the seatback;wherein the gate rotates about a second axis in moving between theretracted position of the gate and the extended position of the gate;wherein the first axis and the second axis are parallel and are locatedon opposite widthwise sides of the seatback; and wherein the seatbackand the gate rotate in opposite rotational directions when moving fromtheir respective retracted positions to their respective extendedpositions.
 91. A method of using a shopping cart that comprises a baseand a seatback connected to the base and movable relative to the basebetween a retracted position, in which a sitting area of the child seatis covered by the seatback, and an extended position, in which thesitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which theseatback serves to support a back of a child when sitting in the sittingarea, wherein the seatback comprises a recess located in a surface ofthe seatback that faces the sitting area when the seatback is in theretracted position, within which recess a seatbelt module is received,the seatbelt module comprising a seatbelt for restraint of a child whenseated in the sitting area, and wherein the seat further comprises agate connected to the seatback and movable relative to the seatbackbetween a retracted position, in which the gate is flush with a surfaceof the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends ina generally upright manner from the surface of the seatback, the methodcomprising, when using the cart to contain items and not seat a child,moving the seatback to its retracted position and moving the gate to itsextended position to inhibit items contained in the cart from fallingthrough the leg openings in the cart.
 92. The method of claim 91,wherein the seatback is flush with a top of the base when in theretracted position.
 93. The method of claim 91, wherein the seatbackrotates between the retracted position and the extended position. 94.The method of claim 91, wherein the base defines the sitting area, andwherein the seatback is received within the sitting area and covers afloor of the sitting area when in the retracted position.
 95. The methodof claim 91, wherein the gate is received within the seatback when inthe retracted position.
 96. The method of claim 91, wherein the surfaceof the seatback with which the gate is flush when the gate is in theretracted position is an outwardly facing surface of the seatback whenthe seatback is in the retracted position.
 97. The method of claim 91,wherein the gate rotates between the retracted position and the extendedposition, the gate being received within a recessed area defined by theseatback when the gate is in the retracted position.
 98. The method ofclaim 91, wherein the seatback rotates about a first axis in movingbetween the retracted position of the seatback and the extended positionof the seatback; wherein the gate rotates about a second axis in movingbetween the retracted position of the gate and the extended position ofthe gate; wherein the first axis and the second axis are parallel andare located on opposite widthwise sides of the seatback; and wherein theseatback and the gate rotate in opposite rotational directions whenmoving from their respective retracted positions to their respectiveextended positions.
 99. A method of using a shopping cart that comprisesa base and a seatback connected to the base and movable relative to thebase between a retracted position, in which a sitting area of the childseat is covered by the seatback, and an extended position, in which thesitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which theseatback serves to support a back of a child when sitting in the sittingarea, wherein the seatback comprises a recess located in a surface ofthe seatback that faces the sitting area when the seatback is in theretracted position, within which recess a seatbelt module is received,the seatbelt module comprising a seatbelt for restraint of a child whenseated in the sitting area, and wherein the seat further comprises agate connected to the seatback and movable relative to the seatbackbetween a retracted position, in which the gate is flush with a surfaceof the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends ina generally upright manner from the surface of the seatback, the methodcomprising, when using the cart to seat a child, moving the gate to itsretracted position, moving the seatback to its extended position,placing a child in the sitting area such that legs of the child extendthrough leg openings in the cart and a back of the child rests againstthe seatback in its extended position, and restraining the child withthe seatbelt; and when using the cart to contain items and not seat achild, moving the seatback to its retracted position and moving the gateto its extended position to inhibit items contained in the cart fromfalling through the leg openings in the cart.
 100. The method of claim99, wherein the gate is received within the seatback when in theretracted position.
 101. The method of claim 99, wherein the surface ofthe seatback with which the gate is flush when the gate is in theretracted position is an outwardly facing surface of the seatback whenthe seatback is in the retracted position.
 102. The method of claim 99,wherein the gate rotates between the retracted position and the extendedposition, the gate being received within a recessed area defined by theseatback when the gate is in the retracted position.